Nintendo launched its "hybrid" Switch console Friday, a family-friendly device with an LCD touch screen and more than 100 third-party titles. The Kyoto, Japan-based company's previous system, the Wii U, experienced disappointing sales following its 2012 launch. This places a lot of pressure on the new console to outperform its predecessor.

Nintendo released its first handheld video game system, the Game & Watch. It didn't use interchangeable cartridges and was only compatible with the hardware that came with the device. Just two years later, Nintendo patented its signature D-pad design.

1985

Nintendo

The Nintendo Entertainment System reached North America alongside the original “Super Mario Bros.,” a side-scrolling game that became the top-selling single platform title for three decades at more than 40 million units.

Nintendo released shooter "Duck Hunt" the same year.

1989

Nintendo launched its first handheld console - the Game Boy, along with "Tetris," a puzzle game created by Russian developer Alexey Pajitnov. As of 2010, the "Tetris" franchise has sold more than 170 million copies, 70 million physical units and more than 100 million downloadable versions on smartphones and devices.

1991

Evan-Amos/Wiki Commons

The 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System launched in North America on Aug. 23, and reached Europe in 1992. The North American version came with “Super Mario World."

1996

Nintendo

Nintendo launched its third home video game console, the Nintendo 64, in Japan and North America, along with the Game Boy Pocket in Japan. The Nintendo 64 was the last home console to use the cartridge as its primary storage method. The Nintendo 64 sold 32.93 million units worldwide in a variety of colors and designs.

2001

Nintendo released its GameCube in Japan and North America. The sixth-generation console directly competed with Sony’s PlayStation 2, Sega’s Dreamcast and Microsoft’s Xbox. The portable Game Boy Advance also launched this year.

2006

Nintendo

Nintendo released the Wii, a home console that came with a Wii Remote, a controller that also functioned as a pointing device. Early versions of the Wii were backward compatible with GameCube titles. The Wii U launched with 21 games, including the popular “Wii Sports.”

2011

Nintendo released it 3DS, a handheld device priced at $249. The 3DS became one of the brand’s best-selling portable systems. One year later, Nintendo launched its 3DS XL, a larger version of the original 3DS.

2012

Nintendo

The Wii U launched, an eighth-generation console that struggled to compete with the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. By 2015, Nintendo announced that it had shipped more than 10 million Wii U consoles worldwide.